"Which single image would capture the essence of Thailand for you?" I asked Bill.

We were walking yesterday under the lush green canopy of the ancient, towering trees at Tao Garden, a retreat centre in the wild mountains near the Golden Triangle, where Burma Thailand And Laos converge at the mighty Mekong River.

Bill laughed and said: “This is not a time of single images we live in! Why take one photo when you can take ten or a hundred and ten?” He shook his head. “I miss the days when you had to thoughtfully compose a photo because film was expensive and each shot counted.”

In the early 1980s, I lived next door to my best friend and mentor, Willard Van Dyke. He was a renowned photographer and is in all the history books.

Willard was 76, so I would carry his giant 8x10 view camera and wooden tripod with the black hood out to wild vistas where he would gaze for a long time, then disappear under the big black cloth, and make a single exposure. Just one!

We would drive back to the darkroom we built together in a neighbour's garage and develop the huge black and white 8in by 10in negative. From the chemical bath, a stunning photograph would appear!”

I could see Bill was lost in memories. I broke the spell.

“Well, if I could take only one photograph it would be of older Thai women in their traditional silks with their hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed up, in gracious greeting. It speaks to the heart of the elegance and gentleness in Thai culture; it’s a greeting with a prayer.”

Living in a Buddhist country feels like a privilege, and over the five winters we have stayed here we've cultivated a sense of belonging in this simple, rural community, close to nature.

I have built friendships, particularly with Thai women from the nearby village. After our formal greeting, we laugh, hug and exclaim “Sabai, Sabai!” Which means “tranquility“, “happiness“, “contentment” and “inner peace”.

Life in this haven is curative and serene. I deliberately steer clear of news updates, immersing myself in simplicity; the shimmering green rice fields and the verdant tumble of mountain ridges, the kindness of country people, the warm embrace of a friend, the haunting melodies of hidden birds, the flash of golden spires from temple rooftops.

Every evening, at six, a gentle and poignant Thai song floats through the forest from the simple PA system in the nearby village, echoing off the surrounding hillsides as if coming from different directions. It conjures long gone kingdoms and lost love and longing. I stop, spellbound for several minutes, and when it fades into the twilight, a quiet voice gives the news of the province; it is a communal update on births, deaths, and Buddhist temple services.

I suppose only someone like Bill’s friend, Willard, could capture the essence of a place in one black and white image. Thailand to me is a kaleidoscope. So many colours, so many smiles, so much peace.

May peace spread like the stars I see above me, surrounding the world in points of eternal light.

May we all carry our own lovely image of a place or people we love, so there can always be a peaceful place in our hearts.

• Nina London is the founder of Mermaid Wellness Centre for Women and a certified Chi Gong and Laughter Yoga teacher. Her mission is to support and inspire mature women to make positive changes in their bodies and minds. Contact her at ninalondon.com and on Instagram: @coachninalondon